On this day, 429 years ago, on March 31, 1596 (March 3, 1596, the founder of modern rationalism), Descartes was born. The statue of Descartes (March 31, 1596-February 11, 1650) Rene Descartes was born on March 31, 1596 in Doulan, France. Descartes was a great philosopher, physicist, mathematician, and physiologist. Founder of Analytical Geometry. Descartes was one of the founders of bourgeois philosophy in modern Europe, and Hegel called him the "father of modern philosophy." He formed a system of his own, fusing materialism and idealism into one furnace, and had a far-reaching influence in the history of philosophy. At the same time, he is also a scientist who dares to explore, and the analytical geometry he established has epoch-making significance in the history of mathematics. Descartes can be regarded as one of the most influential masters in European philosophy and science in the 17th century, and is known as the "ancestor of modern science." One day in 1618, in the Dutch city of Shireda, many people gathered around the city gate and chatted. It turned out that there was a piece of paper pasted on the city wall with a mathematical problem written on it, asking the masses for answers. A young officer speaking in French looked and listened carefully, and seemed to be very interested in this question but did not fully understand it. He asked a well-dressed man next to him to translate the problem, written in Dutch, into Latin or French. Unexpectedly, the man was arrogant and impatient. He did not believe that this young officer could solve this problem. Out of courtesy, he interpreted it, but his words showed a hint of sarcasm. Unexpectedly, two days later, the officer actually sent him the correct answer. This surprised the man and couldn't help but look at the young officer with new eyes. So the two of them chatted and were very speculative. As soon as he learned about it, he learned that the young officer was named René Descartes, and the person who translated for him was the famous scholar Beckman. Descartes was a Frenchman. He was born on March 31, 1596 in an aristocratic family in Tuyang County. He was frail and sick since childhood, but he studied hard and smart, and liked to think silently. In 1616, at the age of 20, Descartes received his doctorate in law with the best grades. In order to enrich his knowledge, he decided to travel abroad, in his own words: "To read the great book of the world." Soldiers were one of the easiest and most economical ways to travel at that time, so he joined the army. When he met Beckman, he became a close friend. This accidental friend had a great influence on Descartes. In Descartes 'words: "He brought a mind that had left science back to the most just and beautiful path." He awakened Descartes 'interest in science. In 1625, Descartes ended his travels and began his career in scientific research. He knew well that his ideas were incompatible with the Church and could easily be regarded as a heretic in France. He yearned for the Netherlands, where the bourgeoisie was already in power. So he moved there in 1628 and stayed there until 1649. Almost all of Descartes's writings were written in the Netherlands. His "Geometry" is an epoch-making work in the history of mathematics, as well as the famous "Notes on Methods" in the history of philosophy. "Geometry" claims to mark the birth of analytical geometry, while "Methodology" enjoys a high reputation in the history of French literature as an autobiographical prose. He wanted to return to his country and settle down, but those who opposed it, especially the church, blocked it. The Queen of Sweden invited him to teach philosophy, and Descartes hoped to use her power to promote his doctrine and agreed to go. Unexpectedly, the winter in Stockholm in 1649 was so cold that the Queen had to attend classes at 5 a.m. It was undoubtedly unbearable destruction for Descartes, who had the habit of getting up late. On February 1, 1650, he caught a cold, which immediately turned into pneumonia, and died on February 11. History will not forget those who pushed it forward, and the influence of Descartes 'philosophy is becoming increasingly profound. His deduction method is widely used in scientific research, and the analytical geometry he founded kicked off the big stage of higher mathematics. In 1667, his body was transported back to China, and in 1799, his remains were placed in the History Museum. Cartesian geometry Cartesian cardioid function